House Resolution 2

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATED AND DILIGENT SERVICE OF COLONEL GERVIS A. PARKERSON AND COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON HIS RETIREMENT AS COMMANDER OF THE 1108TH AVCRAD.

WHEREAS, after commencing his military career with the United States Marine Corps in 1971, Colonel Gervis A. Parkerson will retire from duty after more than 34 years of dedicated, diligent and commendable service to the United States Military and the Mississippi Army National Guard; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong resident of Mississippi, Colonel Parkerson graduated from Gulfport High School in 1967, received his bachelor of science degree from Mississippi State in 1971 and joined the United States Marine Corps, completing OCS in Quantico, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Naval Flight School in 1972 and serving as base pilot in the Marine Corps through 1976, Colonel Parkerson left active duty to return to his native Mississippi, where he commenced employment with Baxter Travenol Labs through 1978; and

WHEREAS, in 1979 he obtained employment with Beech Aerospace (now Raytheon) and joined the Mississippi Army National Guard with the 114th Support Group in 1980, beginning his full-time career at the 1108th AVCRAD in 1981 and becoming its commander in 1994; and

WHEREAS, leading the 1108th AVCRAD to fulfill its mission of providing unit, intermediate, and limited depot level aviation support maintenance to the nine southeastern states, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, Colonel Parkerson's ability to lead effectively has also affected a resurgence of community involvement among its civilian and military cohorts; and

WHEREAS, a Master Army Aviator and Naval Aviator with over 7,000 flight hours, Colonel Parkerson has numerous schools, decorations and badges to his credit, including the Mississippi Magnolia Cross, Army Commendation medal, Army Service ribbon, AR-Comp-Achievement medal, Meritorious Service medal, Mississippi Longevity medal, Mississippi War medal and Mississippi Commendation medal, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Parkerson's keen insight and intuitive instinct has made him a mountain of a commander, and his success can only be measured by the unencumbered support and respect that he receives from his family: wife of 26 years, Brenda; and children, Beau and Leah; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence in the careers of citizens and our soldiers, such as Colonel Parkerson, whose innate ability to lead is proven by the success of his unit and the growth of the community involvement surrounding his years of service:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the distinguished career of Colonel Gervis A. Parkerson upon his retirement from 1108th AVCRAD after more than 34 years of dedicated and commendable military service to the United States and to the great State of Mississippi and express our heartiest wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Colonel Gervis A. Parkerson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.